The parties responsible for maintenance, the neighbouring municipalities, the owners of the water bodies to be inspected, local residents and those authorised to use the water bodies shall be given the opportunity, within the scope of their involvement, to take part in the inspection and to express their views.
The parties responsible for maintenance (owners, neighbours, etc.) must maintain the watercourses on an ongoing basis. The maintenance includes the preservation of a proper condition for the water flow (cleaning, clearing, keeping free, protection and maintenance of the water bed including its banks and facilities, etc.). The necessary work must be carried out without being requested to do so.
If, during the inspection, it is found that the watercourses have not been maintained, or have not been maintained sufficiently, the water authority may impose a penalty payment on those responsible for maintenance or have the necessary maintenance work carried out at their expense. Furthermore, failure to carry out proper maintenance constitutes an administrative offence, which may be punishable by a fine.
Nordhorn, 28 September 2026
County of Bentheim
The District Administrator